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Tales of the Cocktail Announces Spirit Award Nominees

New Orleans, LA- June 14, 2009-- Through its annual Spirit Awards, Tales of the Cocktail provides recognition to those individuals and establishments that have shown an outstanding talent for advancing the craft of the cocktail. To embody the ideals with which Tales of the Cocktail was originally founded, these awards will provide recognition to both national and international guests, as well as to local New Orleanians. Winners will receive exclusive Riedel Crystal awards.

Pernod Ricard is proud to be the sponsor of this year's 3rd Annual Cocktail Spirit Awards - recognizing industry leaders and innovators. For years, Tales of the Cocktail has brought together an incredible group of suppliers, bartenders, writers and the most authoritative experts in the industry- all acting as partners in the celebration and appreciation of cocktail culture. In presenting the Spirit Awards, Pernod Ricard applauds each industry participant and nominee. Also, as part of the evening's celebration, Beverage Media Group, Inc. a 2009 Sprit Awards partner will recognize 10 Up & Coming Mixologists, selected from participants of Tales of the Cocktail's Apprentice Program.

Awards to be announced at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Awards Dinner on Saturday, July 11, 2009 in New Orleans. Tickets can be purchased online at www.talesofthecocktail.com.

The 2009 Tales of the Cocktail awards committee is comprised of the following members:

Best American Cocktail Bar Criteria: This award recognizes the influence on cocktail trends within the United States and seeks to award the country's best cocktail bar.

Death & Co, NYCPDT, NYCPegu Club, NYC

World's Best Cocktail BarCriteria: Only truly world-class bars will be considered for this illustrious title. Some bars attain worldwide recognition and this award recognizes the very best of the best.

Door 74, AmsterdamHigh Five Bar, TokyoPDT, NYCPegu Club, NYC

World's Best New Cocktail BarCriteria: Only bars which opened after 1st March 2008 may be nominated. This award aims to reward new creativity and ideas as well as well executed drinks.

Clover Club, BrooklynDrink, BostonQuo Vadis, London

World's Best Hotel BarCriteria: The classic 'American Bar' played an important role in the history and development of cocktail culture. The judges are looking for hotel bars, which uphold this tradition (but are not necessarily old) and offer five-star service and consistently well-made drinks.

Dukes, LondonThe Connaught, LondonThe Merchant, Belfast

American Bartender of the YearCriteria: From Jerry Thomas onwards, American bartenders have been amongst the most influential on drinks styles and cocktail culture in general. This award seeks to recognize the most influential American bartender today. The winner should be proficient at making all recognized classic drinks and also have created contemporary cocktails, which have been copied by his/her peers.

Audrey SaundersJames MeehanPhil Ward

International Bartender of the YearCriteria: The absolute best drinks mixer in the world. The winner must have received international recognition of their work with their own recipes crossing borders to appear on cocktail menus in numerous countries. (US citizens are not excluded.)

Agostino PerroneCharles VexenatTony Conigliaro

Best New Cocktail/Bartending BookCriteria: The best book published in 2008 regarding cocktails, liquor, and bars, bar design or bartending in general. New editions of existing works may also be nominated.

Best Cocktail WritingCriteria: Great journalism is one of the best ways to communicate to the general public the value and significance of great cocktails and related products. This award is for any non-book journalism (Magazine, Newspaper, Website, etc) that promotes bars, bartender, or cocktails in general.

Camper EnglishDave WondrichGary Regan Jared Brown & Anistatia Miller

Best New ProductCriteria: This is awarded to what the judges consider to be the best new cocktail ingredient (spirit, liqueur, syrup or juice) or piece of cocktail equipment (muddler, shaker etc.). To qualify products must be on general retail sale in at least three US states.

Angostura Orange BittersBols GeneverOcho

World's Best Cocktail MenuCriteria: The judges seek to reward innovative and thirst inducing cocktail menus. Both the design and content will be considered.

Hawksmoor, LondonLe Lion Bar de Paris, HamburgMerchant Hotel, Belfast

Best American Brand AmbassadorCriteria: An award, which recognizes the importance of personality in the promotion of drinks brands across America.